DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 33

Rabbi Mende Wolff, baby Tuvia and Ethan Gross at the 
Mishpacha Orphanage in Berlin.

Chabad of Odessa synagogue to hundreds 
of families. The organization works closely 
with more than 150 Chabad rabbis across 
Ukraine to help individuals and families in 
crises and provide hot meals, food packages 
and medicine to about 35,000 men, women 
and children each month. 
“Seeing it on the news is different from 
being there in person and seeing all these 
people lining up for food. Some of the peo-
ple are from Odessa and some are refugees 
escaping from more dangerous cities like 
Kherson. And they’re there every day until 5 
p.m.,
” Gross said. 
When touring the schools, Gross said he 
found out how things have changed within 
the last nine months. Approximately 60% 
of the Jews from Odessa have left. With 
families fleeing to other cities and countries, 
the class sizes have diminished — although 
more refugee children are attending classes 
there. They’ve also had to consolidate their 
classrooms so they could use one of the 
buildings with a basement as a bomb shelter. 
“One of the biggest differences since the 
war started is, of course, funding. Funding is 
certainly more limited. Many of the biggest 
donors to the JRNU had to move because 
their businesses were destroyed. So, now 
they’re dealing with a smaller and more 
needy community. That’s where the JRNU 
comes in — giving them money to help 
cover their costs,
” Gross said. 

AN EVENT TO RAISE AWARENESS
On his flight back to Detroit, Gross said 
he felt melancholy as he reflected on what 
the Ukrainians have gone through with no 
identifiable end date in sight. He knew, once 
he returned home, he wanted to do more to 
help the people there. 
So, he came up with the idea to put 
together a coalition of Metro Detroit con-
gregational and business leaders to work 
together to support the Jewish community 
in Ukraine and continue spreading aware-
ness. 
When Gross shared his experiences, 
and then his idea of sponsoring a Detroit/
Ukraine Jewish Community Unity Event, his 
partners, Bobby Levin, Carl Gross (also his 
brother) and Danielle Levin, immediately 
and enthusiastically agreed. With winter set-
ting in and infrastructure in Ukraine under 
constant attack, the needs are greater than 
ever. As such, it was important to have this 
event before the end of the year. Many syn-
agogues and other organizations were very 
receptive to participating. 
The event will take place on Dec. 12, from 
6:30- 8:30 p.m. at Congregation Shaarey 
Zedek in Southfield. Attendees will hear 
the stories of individuals who have helped 
support Ukraine — such as an Okemos man 
who delivered ambulances and medical sup-
plies to the country and a teenage girl who 
made bracelets with her friends at her bat 

mitzvah to give to orphans. Rabbi Mendel 
Moskowitz will be a featured speaker, shar-
ing his harrowing escape from Kharkov. 
And, Judi Garrett, the COO of JRNU USA, 
will update everyone on current condi-
tions and need of the Jewish community in 
Ukraine. 
Participants will also learn what they can 
personally do to help support Ukrainians 
and raise money for the relief efforts. 
Attendees are asked to bring new coats, 
gloves or hats to donate. The winter clothing 
will be shipped to Ukraine and distributed 
to the Jewish community by the JRNU. 
Attendees will also participate in a message 
of unity that will be recorded at the event 
and shared with the Ukrainian Jewish com-
munity. 
To register to attend, visit Gross’ website at 
https://d4jrnu.com. You can also read more 
about Gross’ trip to Ukraine by reading his 
blog, located on his site. To donate to the 
Jewish Relief Network Ukraine, visit www.
jrnu.org, click donate and select “Detroit 
Campaign for Ukraine and JRNU” in the 
dropdown menu. 
“Every little bit helps, whether it’s $5 or 
$500, or you’re making bracelets, driving an 
ambulance across the border, or just giving a 
Coke and a smile. Whatever it is, it all adds 
up. People in Ukraine still need our support, 
our thoughts, our prayers and our donations. 
We can all make a difference,
” Gross said. 

Ethan Gross hands out cans of Coke to all the children at the orphanage in Berlin. 

